‘Real Solutions’: Holmdel School Staff, Community Rally At School Board Meeting

HOLMDEL, NJ — Dozens of Holmdel parents, community members and school staff filled Holmdel High School at a recent Board of Education meeting to protest an idea to outsource staff services as the district seeks a solution to prevailing budget challenges.

The meeting, which took place on April 30, saw the board give final approval to their budget for the 2025-26 school year, including an estimated annual tax increase of $612.94 per year.

Holmdel is just one of many school districts throughout New Jersey facing budgetary challenges, with Holmdel schools slated to receive 3% less in state aid for 2025-26 than what they received the year before.

Though the board resolved some economic challenges through a $600,000 shared services agreement with the township, they’re still facing a $2.4 million deficit for the 2026-27 school year and are exploring possible solutions.

One of those potential solutions? Outsourcing [bringing in outside contractors for] office, building, and paraprofessional services, which could affect roughly 110 jobs.

“We are here tonight to advocate for continued fair employment as trusted members of the school community,” Holmdel Township Education Association (HTEA) President Patty Dasaro said. “In the best interest of our students’ safety, and the stability of our district, we urge you, the board and its president, Mr. DiMare, to not pursue the outsourcing of any Holmdel school employee. Ever.”

Throughout the night, Holmdel paraprofessionals, secretaries and more took to the floor to share their love of the Holmdel School District and community, along with one common message: “Please do not outsource my job.”

In addition to Holmdel school employees, parents also rallied their support, sharing stories of achievement between Holmdel paraprofessionals and their children, and asking the board to reconsider outsourcing as an option.

“It’s an outright betrayal to our beloved paraprofessionals…this is unforgivable,” Nina Decker, a Holmdel parent, said during the meeting. “Let me be crystal clear: Paraprofessionals are not optional. They are not interchangeable. They are not temp workers. They are essential.”

Another parent, Jay Yanello, shared positive experiences his daughter has had with Holmdel’s paraprofessionals and spoke about his wife’s dedication to working as a paraprofessional.

“A prior superintendent of schools said at a school board meeting, ‘The paras are the unsung heroes of the Holmdel School District,’” Yannello said. “And they really are…But it’s a hard job. I would argue it’s one of the hardest jobs in this school district.”

“So between the benefits [his daughter] and many others have experienced from consistency [with paraprofessionals] and my firsthand observation of how hard the job is, please keep that in mind going forward,” Yanello continued.

During the meeting, Holmdel Board of Education President Chris DiMare clarified that although the board is exploring solutions for budget challenges, no jobs were being cut that night, and all of Holmdel’s paraprofessionals were included in the meeting’s agenda for approval.

DiMare went on to explain that Resolution 44 on the agenda (which some interpreted as jobs being cut) is a vote to solicit requests for proposals for substitute staff members, which is how the district has secured substitute staff in the past. It was not a vote to eliminate or replace any employees, DiMare said.

Though no jobs were eliminated at the April 30 meeting, many still raised concerns about the possibility of outsourcing in the future.

Denise King, a former president of the HTEA and current President of the Monmouth County Education Association, raised these concerns with the board and said community members should be aware that outsourcing could still happen in the future.

“Us [the HTEA] coming here is not premature, it’s being proactive,” King said. “Community members need to understand that, possibly, you [the board] could make a decision to cut all the secretaries and get someone from outside. You could cut all the paraprofessionals and get someone from outside.”

“...The reality is you just said you’re planning on looking at all possible options, which could include outsourcing,” King continued. “I’m not saying you don’t have financial difficulties. What I am saying is that we need to look at real solutions that don’t require us making our district into just an ordinary district. We’re extraordinary. We have been extraordinary for years.”

In response to faculty and community members’ concerns, the board said that while no one wants to cut jobs, and no action is being taken just yet, they do have a responsibility to residents to explore all options and find the best solution.

“We’re already facing a $2.4 million deficit, heading into next year’s budget,” DiMare said. “This path is not sustainable for Holmdel taxpayers. Simply raising taxes is not a viable solution.”

In a May newsletter from the Board of Education, Board Vice President Alison LoPresti outlined some of the factors school officials say are contributing to the district’s financial challenges, including an increase in teacher benefits and operational costs, a 2% tax levy cap, declining enrollment, and existing contractual obligations that have become financially unstable.

"Every day we're seeing these financial realities...we have to find that balance," LoPresti said during the April 30 meeting. "This is what we're struggling with, right? That balance of not continuing to put the burden on a taxpayer — it can't just be continuing to throw money at a problem because that's not a real solution."

Though the board is evaluating a variety of cost-saving options (including their intention to solicit requests for proposals to privatize certain services), LoPresti emphasized that no decisions on privatization have been made at this time.

“It’s important to be clear: the Board of Education is entrusted with protecting the long-term health of the Holmdel School District — not just for today’s students and employees, but for generations to come,” DiMare said. “We also know that many districts are facing difficult choices across New Jersey — school closures and sales, program reductions, larger class sizes, large staff layoffs, significant tax increases and privatization. We do not want that to happen in Holmdel.”

“Our focus is on long-term solutions that balance educational excellence with fiscal responsibility,” DiMare continued. “A contract that supports our educators while also protecting what makes Holmdel exceptional — strong academic programs, manageable class sizes, and a stable learning environment. A place where students thrive.”

To watch the full recording of the April 30 meeting, you can watch it here. To read the meeting agenda, you can click here.

Related

• $76.4M Tentative Budget Approved For Holmdel Schools For 2025-26
• Holmdel Enters Into $600,000 Shared Services Agreement With Board Of Education